EC bars political parties in UP from publishing advertisement in newspapers

The Election Commission has barred the political parties and candidates in Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls from publishing advertisement in newspapers today and tomorrow without its prior approval. The first phase of voting in the state will take place tomorrow.

It has asked them to get the advertisements pre-certified from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee at the state and district levels before their publication.The poll body said the decision has been taken in view of past instances of advertisements of offending and misleading nature in



print media on such occasions which vitiate the elections. 

In its direction to the UP Chief Electoral Officer , the Commission asked to issue directions to all political parties, candidates and newspapers in this regard. 

Earlier, the Election Commission said, it is committed to hold free and fair polls in the state. Speaking to media after two-day visit of the State, Chief Election commissioner Nasim Zaidi said in Lucknow that no laxity will be tolerated in maintaining communal and social harmony during the elections.